EFFECTS OF PROTECTIVE DUTIES. 61 



assume control of our own markets, drive the foreigner out, and 

 supply domestic consumers with better articles at lower prices 

 than before. 



Let us illustrate this fact by an appeal to experience. The man- 

 ufacture of axes and other edge tools was commenced at Hartford, 

 Conn., in 1826, by the brothers Collins, who were the first to sup- 

 ply the markets of this country with cast-steel axes, ready ground 

 for use. By the tariff of 1828 a Protective duty of 35 per cent, 

 was levied upon imported axes. Under this Protection the Collins 

 Co. introduced labor-saving machinery, much of which was in- 

 vented, patented, and constructed by themselves. Ultimately 

 their axes altogether superseded the foreign article, on account of 

 superior quality and cheapness. In 1836, foreign and home-made 

 axes were selling side by side, in the American market, at $15 to 

 $16 per dozen, at which time foreign producers, finding they 

 could make no money at those rates, and that our establishments 

 could not be broken down, withdrew from the competition, aban- 

 doning the entire market to our own manufacturers. Then home 

 rivalry and improved methods continued the decline of prices. 

 Axes were selling, in 1838, at $13 to $15.25 per dozen; in 1839, 

 at the same; in 1840, at $13 to $14; in 1841, at $12 to $14 ; in 

 1842; at $11 to $14; in 1843, at $ XI to $ I2 > i n l8 44> at $n to 

 $11.50; in 1845, at $ TO -5 to $ ri > in I &46, at $ 10 to $ 11 > in 

 1847, at $9-5 to $ 10 5; i 11 l8 48, at $8 to $10 ; and in 1849, at 

 $8 to $10. These quotations are copied from the Finance Report 

 of the United States for 1849, an d they stiow a constant decline of 

 prices, even after the pressure of foreign competition had been 

 withdrawn. Now we are exporters of axes, and are wresting from 

 the English one market after another. Said the Sheffield Tele- 

 graph, only a few weeks ago : "The steel of an American axe is so 

 superior to that of an imported axe that no pioneer who understands 

 his business will ever carry any other with him into the wilds." 

 Such are the effects of Protective duties. 



It is because of these results, often repeated, that British cap- 

 italists have employed their utmost energies, seconded by the 

 diplomacy of England, to break down and crush out our rising 

 industries as so many impediments to a monopoly control of the 

 American market. This spirit is even now being exhibited toward 

 the crockery manufacture in New Jersey, where labor-saving ma- 



